COMDTINST 5520.5G governs Coast Guard Investigative Service organization, authority, missions, responsibilities, and incident reporting.
View COMDTINST 5520.5G on armypubs.army.mil
The publication covers CGIS structure, investigative jurisdiction, mandatory reporting, command investigators, investigative independence, defense counsel assistance, and agent identification. It requires reporting of specified felony offenses and other incidents, establishes limits on CGIS investigations, and sets procedures for investigative support.
Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, deputy/assistant commandants, chief of headquarter directorates must comply with these policy requirements.
CGIS Special Agents are prohibited from offering recommendations or verbal, written, or testimonial, opinions in matters concerning guilt, innocence or punishment, in order to preserve the objectivity of the criminal investigative process to the maximum extent possible. (paragraph 5)
All actual, alleged, or suspected felony violations of the UCMJ must be reported immediately to CGIS when the suspect/accused or the victim is a covered person as defined in paragraph 12.b.(3) of this Instruction, or a former Coast Guard member who was on active duty when the offense was committed.
CGIS will typically not conduct criminal investigations based solely on allegations of adultery or fraternization between adults.
CGIS is the primary Coast Guard entity authorized to initiate or conduct felony criminal investigations.
Unit commanders are prohibited from taking any action in a matter under investigation by CGIS without prior consultation with and authorization from the Regional SAC whose office is responsible for the conduct of the investigation.